Rights to use the Welsh language

The general principles of the University's commitment to the Welsh language, in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards (No. 6) Regulations, are as follows:

• Any documents or forms produced for public use will be available in Welsh and English
• Any apps or student intranet systems that we produce or procure will function fully in English and in Welsh
• Any self-service machines will operate fully bilingually
• Any new or replacement signs, or notices displayed, will be bilingual, with the Welsh language displayed so as to be read first
• The University's website is bilingual 
• The main corporate social media accounts will be bilingual, as well as the main accounts of faculties and relevant administrative departments
• Any publicity or advertising material will be available bilingually
• Interpreting will be provided at a public lecture, to allow members of the audience to ask any questions in Welsh, if the subject matter or the anticipated audience suggests it should be
• For any learning opportunities provided to the general public, an assessment will be made as to the need to provide it through the medium of Welsh and these will be published on our website. The opportunity should be offered in Welsh where relevant
• All announcements over a public address system (except for urgent health and safety announcements), will be made bilingually with the Welsh language first

Full details are in the University's Compliance notice June 2019 and in the Welsh Language Standards Regulations. 

You will be asked for your language preference (Welsh/English) when you enroll at the University and this will be noted on your student record so that members of staff will be aware of your language preference when they communicate with you.

Want to learn or improve your Welsh at University? Take a look at our opportunities for students.

For opportunities to study through the medium of Welsh, please refer to the college in question, or to Academi Hywel Teifi.

Accommodation is allocated for students who'd like to live to other Welsh speakers.

The Welsh Language Commissioner's #maegenihawl campaign outlines the main rights that apply to students. Students have the right to receive:

• Letters in Welsh
• Apply for financial support in Welsh
• Welcome booklet in Welsh
• Prospectus in Welsh
• Welsh speaking personal tutor
• Counselling service in Welsh
• Meeting in Welsh
• Certificates in Welsh
• Submit written work in Welsh (depending on the examining body) Asesu drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg
• Forms in Welsh

The University will correspond with you in the language of your choice. If you write to us in Welsh, we will respond in Welsh. If we do not know your language choice, we will correspond with you bilingually.

Here are some of your rights in terms of using Welsh*:

• At key University reception areas (the University libraries, The Great Hall, Taliesin, Fulton House, MyUniHub, Singleton Abbey, Talbot)
• Over the phone at all other reception areas
• On main University telephone numbers, call centre and helpline numbers (until such point as it's necessary to transfer the call to a member of staff who does not speak Welsh who can provide a service on a specific subject matter)
• At individual meetings with the University in relation to certain matters
• At meetings with several people at the University, if more than 10% have requested to speak Welsh
• At a meeting which is open to the public when you have responded to the invite in advance to say that you wish to use the Welsh language at the meeting
• When applying for a grant or financial assistance
• When submitting a tender for a contract

 *Please note that the rights apply to the activities listed here.

All new or vacant posts (including public appointments) will be assessed to determine if Welsh language skills are required, and if so, will be categorised as a post where one of the following apply:

• Welsh language skills are essential;
• Welsh language skills need to be learnt when a person is appointed to a post;
• Welsh language skills are desirable;
• Welsh language skills are not necessary

You can read more about assessments here.

Job applicants can submit applications in Welsh to any post. Job applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than if they were submitted in English. The University will state in its job advertisements that applications can be submitted in Welsh and that they will be treated equally to those submitted in English.

Job applicants will have access to the following documents in Welsh, if they are also available in English:

• application forms
• materials explaining the procedures for applying for posts
• information about the interview process or about other assessment methods when applying for a post;
• job descriptions

These documents (listed above) will be equal to the documents provided in English (e.g. in same format, published at the same time; equally available etc). Job applicants can choose to use the Welsh language at any interview or during any other assessment for a post, and there will be a space on the application form for applicants to indicate this choice.

Job applicants will be informed if the University needs to use a translation service at the interview or assessment, to accommodate this. Job applicants who apply for a post in Welsh will be notified of the outcome of the interview or assessment in Welsh.

University staff rights are protected under the Welsh Language Standards although they differ from the rights of the public and students. They include such things as the right to use Welsh in relation to their professional development and employment.

Full guidance for staff is on the University's intranet pages: search 'staff Welsh rights'.